Poinciana plays for title and pride

Poinciana will play for the Class 5A boys basketball state championship at 11 a.m. today against Jacksonville Bishop Kenny in Lakeland. Nate Lou

is said he and the Eagles (26-5) are pursuing the pride of a community.

“We’ve got the city behind us. We’ve got our fans telling us it’s our year; go get it,” Louis said. “We’re going to do it for the city.”

Poinciana is extraordinarily balanced with skilled shooters, led by Louis and his 16.3 points per game, surrounding 6-foot-5 center Taron

Mallard. The Crusaders (28-3) are led by 6-5 seniors Christian Carlyle (23.8 ppg) and Chris Joyce (19 ppg).

Alicia DelGallo

Honors and all stars

Coach Al Honor and senior point guard Jordan Lewis of Class 4A state champion Lake Highland Prep are among eight finalists for Florida Dairy Farmer girls basketball honors. Lewis, an Alabama signee, averaged 17.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game and posted a triple-double in the state final. Honor, the 4A coach of the year, has a 121-26 record in five seasons, including consecutive state titles.

Florida Prospects will host a girls basketball all-star doubleheader today at Wekiva High School. The uncommitted senior game will tip off at 4 p.m., followed by a 6 p.m. game that showcases 21 players who have signed or committed to colleges.

Rosters for the second game include Lewis; UCF signees Korneila Wright of Jones and Ciara Thompson of West Orange; and Rollins recruit De

nise Daniels of Colonial. Elite Basketball Services hosts its Hoop Exchange Spring Player Showdown this weekend at the Orlando Magic Recreation Center at Barnett Park in Orlando.

A total of 160 top freshmen and sophomores will be on display in games from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today. A pool of 75 juniors, 75 seniors and select post-grads will take the court from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday.

Buddy Collings